Winter Interest in my garden - part 3 - Architectural Plants.

What is an ‘architectural plant’ anyway? I would say that it’s a plant that brings a touch of drama to the garden – or a focal point, maybe.

In the winter months, ‘architectural plants’ give my garden extra ‘pzazz’. They come into their own!

Like this one:

Fatsia japonica

Its large leaves are a very distinctive shape – you can see how glossy they are, too!

And just look at the flowers!

This year, I was lucky enough to find a variegated Fatsia – one more plant crossed off my lengthy wish-list!

Not everyone is lucky enough to inherit such a large and imposing architectural feature as the 200 year-old weeping ash in my garden, though! I love it at all times of the year, but I find its shape more interesting when the leaves are missing.

An architectural plant feature can, of course be created. This box ball just needs clipping twice a year now it’s spherical. Taxus (Yew), Lonicera nitida or Ilex (Holly) amongst others also make good subjects for shaping into balls, pillars or even ‘lollipop’ shapes!

At this time of year, the shapes made by my contorted willow are amazing – it’s much more interesting to look at without its leaves!

Salix babylonica ‘Tortuosa’

Last year I found a new plant (to me!) – an Astelia. I love this one – it comes into its own at this time of year, as not only is it evergreen, but the leaf colour deepens as the weather gets colder.

Astelia nervosa ‘Westland’

So you can imagine how pleased I was to come across another Astelia – a very differently coloured one – it’s paler and I think very attractive.

Astelia banksii

Just a word of warning about Astelias – they may need some protection in colder areas.

This plant is definitely architectural – in a different way! It’s a ‘stand up straight’ plant, and it also stands out in the border when there’s not a lot else of interest there. In the summer, your attention is taken by the colour of the flowers around it – but now?

Euonymus japonicus ‘Green Rocket’

Sometimes, a group of architectural plants can make a real impact – and although I know that some people think of Helleborus foetidus as almost a weed – in a group against the golden bamboo, it turns into a lovely contrasting winter picture!

Helleborus foetidus and Phyllostachys aurea

On to a plant which I bought at the Malvern Show – a grass this time! This is most definitely an architectural plant. It stands out amongst the lower-growing planting around it – showing it off to its full glory!

Carex trifida ‘Rekohu Sunshine’

Now a very unusual Ivy – it doesn’t climb or sprawl – it’s an upright form! You can see that it is an Ivy from the leaf shape – and I would certainly count it as an ‘architectural plant’ even though it’s not very big yet – it should grow to about 3’ eventually. This one was planted just over a year ago.

Hedera helix ‘Erecta’

Evergreen ferns come into their own in a shady corner as feature plants, too. There are so many to choose from – and they come in different shapes and sizes, as well.

You might be surprised to see a Heuchera in a blog about architectural plants – but just look at the form of this one! It may be a small plant – but its impact lies not only in the leaf colour – but also in the curls that the leaves form. Its name really suits it!

Heuchera ‘Crimson Curls’

This evergreen Euphorbia makes an impact at any time of year – but during the winter, it really stands out in the border, with or without its flowers.

Euphorbia characias subs. wulfenii

You certainly can’t ignore Phormiums in the garden! They definitely earn their place as focal points with their long, curving sword-shaped leaves.

Phormium tenax ’Platt’s Black’

I also have a huge Phormium! In one way, I wouldn’t mind losing it – it takes up so much room! However, it really is such an architectural feature that I would really miss it – so there it shall stay.

Phormium tenax ‘Tricolour’

This last shrub could lead into the next episode of ‘winter interest’ plants – but I’m including it here as I do think of it as ‘architectural’ as well – it’s a Mahonia. It deserves this because of the interesting shape of its leaves and form – it’s just coming into flower now – but more of that later!

Comments

The idea of Architectural plants is quite wonderful Barbara..without these plants our gardens could not have half as much definition...I find the mahonia at the end reminds me of a snow flake somehow.. it is a perfect structural plant for winter...thank you ...

I'm learning, Spritz, that there are very few hard and fast rules when it comes to catogorizing plants.As you say about the Mahonia japonica, it can go into at least two catogories. I am assuming then that by following a few 'basics' you can adapt planting to suit your individual garden?
Yet again I have learnt something else just by reading one of your blogs! Thank the heavens for finding GoY is all I can say.

Some of my favourite plants fall into the variegated family and architectural.
Love your Euphorbia characias. My aim next year is to get plants with contrasting leaves together - textures and shapes - glossy leaves with felty ones and tall, broad leaved grasses with hostas etc. etc. :-)

Oh my... I think they are so beautiful undressed and showing their real strength...I love them in the winter, almost better than in the summer. I do adore seeing the subtle fuzzinness in the spring time when all the new leaves begin to first appear..they look soft and young again for a short while.

Although my christmas term has already started i felt like sitting in my college and listening to my tutor telling my group about interest in the garden, about focal points - I really enjoyed it:) Many of plants I've just discovered not a long time ago, I couldn't agree with your choices more:) And what a wonderful garden you have:)

o yes! just quickly went through it - I found few names I didn't know:) but because I am an early bird, I am going to do my lesson tomorrow in the morning - do not want to miss a word from your lovely blog:)